Tynedale Raiders 14 Wharfedale Foresters 40

FORESTERS displaced their rivals at the top of the new Northern Pilot League after beating Tynedale for the second time in a fortnight.

Having won the previous encounter 50-10, Foresters expected a tougher test and they got one.

This wasn’t the vintage flowing rugby that has produced so many victories in recent years, but it was effective. Hard work and dogged determination saw them through.

The Foresters set off like a steam train and were 21-0 up after just 14 minutes.

Dan Solomi rolled away from a terrific drive by the pack to score a try which James Druce converted.

A brilliant interception gave Will Davidson the opportunity to illustrate his pace and dynamism to go in under the posts for a try, before winger Ralph Wellock demonstrated his try-scoring abilities by finishing off a good passing move, involving forwards and backs. Druce added both conversions.

The Wharfedale fans were finding it hard to believe that so much could be achieved in such a short space of time.

The home side, who had appeared shell shocked, tightened up their approach and in the main attempted to keep the ball among their pack.

This disrupted the Foresters’ fluency and after strong work by the Tynedale pack they forced the Greens to infringe and were awarded a penalty try, which they converted.

As Wharfedale struggled for fluency with errors creeping into their play, Tynedale took advantage. They scored a pushover try which they converted to reduce the half-time deficit to 21-14.

The Tynedale supporters were starting to get excited, rightly so, as their team was indeed providing stern competition. In contrast, Wharfedale’s followers were wondering if their side could regain control.

The Foresters rang the changes at the start of the second half with Max Bell, Ian Larkin and Joe Metcalfe replacing the lively Jimmy Bullough, Jake Parkinson and Josh Burridge respectively.

Wharfedale muscled up and determined play saw prop Joe Altham power through the defence to score under the posts. Druce was faultless again with the conversion.

Foresters were warming to their task again and they ran in a fifth try when the elusive Josh Prell – who along with Davidson provided pace and finely-tuned instincts in attacking the opposition’s line – scored. For once Druce was off target.

George Altham and Otto Mallileu Black were both introduced for the closing stages while

Burridge, coming back on after treatment for an eye injury, gave strength to the team’s efforts.

The final score went to Andy Rhodes, who after an in and out day, showed his worth with a

well-taken try which was superbly converted by Druce.

The margin of victory was comfortable and would have been bigger if the Foresters had been more clinical.

Wharfedale :James Druce, Ralph Wellock, Mark Simpson , Will Davidson, Josh Prell, Andy Rhodes, Jimmy Bullough, Joe Altham, Jake Parkinson, Jimmy Meehan, Alex Powell, Alistair Allen, Matt Hall, Dan Solomi, Josh Burridge.

Replacements: George Altham, Ian Larkin, Joe Metcalfe, Max Bell, Otto Mallileu Black.